Lace up your sneakers for a family walk or run this spring in Chicago

Christine Cuthbert

3/15/11 5:28 PM

Lace up the sneakers and get the family moving this
spring by participating in one of the many family-friendly
walk/runs throughout the Chicago area.

"Kids who have active parents learn a healthy lifestyle,
and running offers them so much," says Becki Suthers,
communications and membership manager for the Chicago Area Runners
Association. "They learn goal-setting, dedication and
self-confidence. And the look on their faces at the finish line is
priceless."

With more 5K and 10K races geared toward families and
children, it's easy for families to get started with running and
racing. The key is to look for runs with special youth races and
other activities designed for kids.

"Sometimes with the bigger races, it's not feasible to
accommodate small kids and strollers because of the sheer number of
runners involved," Suthers says. "But many events are including
everything from diaper dashes for 6-month-olds to a 1-mile sprint
for older children."

Races and walks organized specifically for kids are meant
to be fun and laid back.

Running etiquette and rules vary, depending on the event.
Parents looking to involve the entire family in a general public
walk or run should teach their kids basic rules of racing. One of
the main things is to keep to the right when slowing down and to be
mindful of other runners.

"It's important for them to call out to other runners if
they're going to pass on the left, and if you're running as a
family you want to run together, but you don't want to be five men
abreast," Suthers says.

Runner Gretchen Matzelle has had her sons Forrester, 16,
and Blake, 12, participating in charity races for the past five
years. Along with the fun, she stresses the importance of the
cause.

"The night before, we discuss all of the different ages
and abilities of the people who will be participating and make sure
they understand what motivates those who are involved," she
says.

And remember, when getting the family ready for a race,
it's important to dress comfortably and wear good shoes.

"You don't need to outfit your child in complete running
apparel," Suthers says. "Put them in something they can move in and
have fun."